Sponsor Software Computer Hardware/Software Requirements

Minute Menu HX is a client server application.  As such, you can use more than one computer with the software, where one computer runs the Minute Menu database, and all other computers run the application and connect to that database.  Most smaller agencies (with under 300 claiming providers) will typically run it from only one machine.  As such, we’ve split our hardware requirements into categories depending upon networking environment and size.  Ranges indicate the difference between minimum and recommended requirements:

	Single Machine Install	Networked Installation
	Requirements	Data Entry Workstation	Scanning/Processing Workstation	DB Server
RAM	256MB - 1GB	128MB	256-500MB	500MB - 1GB
Processor	1.0 - 3.0+ GHz	500+ MHz	1.0 - 3.0+ GHz	1.5 - 3.0+ GHz
Available Hard Disk Space	1.5 - 5.0 GB	500MB	500 MB	3-10 GB
Battery Backup	UPS Recommended	none	none	UPS Recommended

Operating System:  Minute Menu HX ONLY supports Windows 2003, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 98 SE.   Windows 98 (not Second Edition), Windows Millennium, and Windows NT are not supported.  The system performs much faster on Windows 2000/2003/XP/Vista than it does on Windows 98 SE.  If you are using Windows 2000, it must have Service Pack 2 or greater installed.  If you are using Windows 98 SE, you must have Internet Explorer 6.0+.

Large Sponsor Notes:  Large Sponsors (with 700+ Providers) will be required to purchase a license for SQL Server 2000 or 2005, Standard Edition.  This requires the Microsoft Windows 2000 Server or Microsoft Windows 2003 operating system.  Both the operating system and the database software is available for non-profits at extremely discounted rates (less than $100 in total when prices were last checked at www.techsoup.org).  We recommend that Large Sponsors have a dedicated database machine for Minute Menu (that does not run the Minute Menu application), as they will see much better performance within the software.  For those Sponsors with existing SQL Server 2000 or 2005 systems, Minute Menu requires a SQL user with database ownership (dbo) privileges on the Minute Menu database.  Very Large Sponsors (1200+ Providers) may be interested in purchasing a more enterprise-caliber database server, with at least a 3 drive RAID-5 hard disk array to maximize hard disk I/O performance. 

Printers:  We do not support dot-matrix printers, except when printing checks.  Inkjet, bubble jet, or laser printers are recommended, with speeds of 10ppm (for smaller Sponsors) to 30ppm or greater (for larger Sponsors).  When evaluating the speed of a printer, consider printing claim reports:  3 reports of one page each (X) the # of claiming providers = the total number of pages needed.

Sponsor Internet Connectivity / Bandwidth

Dedicated Internet access is required in most -- but not all -- cases for Minute Menu HX.  This can be in the form of DSL, cable modem, wireless point-to-point, satellite/Direct-TV, or a dedicated telecommunication line like a T1. 

Provider eClaiming: WebKIDS Hardware/Software Requirements

See the WebKIDS Users Guide for more information.  In general, any Windows 98 computer or better will work for WebKIDS.  Internet Explorer 6.0+ is required.  A printer will be required. Internet access of some kind is required; high-speed Internet access is recommended.  Macintosh operating systems will only work if Virtual PC is installed, and then only the downloadable Minute Menu Kids software will function.

Sponsor LAN Firewall/Routing Configuration Requirements

The Minute Menu HX system transfers large amounts of information over the Internet via the Transfer Data function.  To ensure your data remains completely secure, special encryption mechanisms are used, as well as specific Internet ports.  These ports are typically open on an outbound basis, even when Firewalls are used.  But any software or hardware Firewall in use must be configured to allow Minute Menu HX to communicate via the Internet.  Please contact us for specific information on the ports used, and the connection types employed.

Remote Technical Support

In certain cases, Minute Menu staff may need remote access to your computers to help provide software support.  For most users, we make the GoToMyPC software available, which works on any network regardless of firewall issues.  However, for those agencies who have established a dedicated SQL Server, it is typically advantageous to setup a Terminal Services / Remote Desktop connection for our support staff.  Contact Minute Menu support for specific assistance.